Italian beer brands: from classic lagers to craft brews

Italian beers in Italy are generally crisp with a refreshing taste. Most importantly, they have a lot of flavour, ensuring every sip is a taste explosion. Beer is paired with many different foods, one of the most obvious is pizza. However, it’s more than just an everyday drink. 

 The artisanal beer craft market has grown extensively in recent years. Despite being a comparatively small market, Italian craft beer is becoming one of the most popular options globally. 

 The history of beer in Italy 

 It’s virtually impossible to trace the origins of beer. It’s likely that it was discovered by accident. Interestingly, the same processes are used to day as were used in olden times. The main difference is that beers today rely on hops to add flavour, that didn’t use to be the case. While beer has been made in Italy for many years, Italian craft beer first arrived on the scene at the turn of the 21st century. The price of an Italian craft beer is more expensive than a traditional beer. However, the Italian’s have perfected the addition of flavour to beer. There are hundreds of different options, each one more alluring than the last.

 There are now so many Italian beers in Italy that the Italians celebrate Italian craft beer on the 23rd June each year. They are also well represented at the international beer day. The Italian beer industry offers space for smaller and larger brands, allowing every business the chance to get off the ground. 

Popular Italian beer brands 

Take a moment and consider which Italian beer brands come to mind. The number of brands which pop into your head is a good reminder of how popular Italian beer brands have become. It can be difficult to choose the best Italian beer overall. It’s certainly worth trying the latest Italian beer from Sardinia, it is definitely a contender for the best overall. 

 Classic lagers 

 You can’t look at Italian beers without sparing a moment for the classic Italian lager Menabrea, it’s clean, balanced, and you’ll want more than one. Of course, one of the most famous Italian largers is Peroni Nastro Azzurro. You’ll get a classic frothy head, a hint of citrus, and a delicate tingle of herbal hops. It’s both sweet and subtly bitter, making  it a great option for a hot, sunny day. 

Italian craft beer 

 While the main Italian beer brands are still getting most of the recognition, you should spare time to try some  of the Italian craft bears on offer. They use the traditional brewing techniques and add unique flavours. Each Italian craft beer reflects the area it comes from. For example, this Italian beer with Sicilian sea salt originates from southern Italy. The slightly salty taste is reminiscent of the sea in the area. Interestingly, the salt enhances the freshness of the beer, while balancing the sweetness and sharpness of the finish and aftertaste. It’s a masterpiece in beer reflecting its surroundings. 

How Italians pair beer with food

Pairing the right Italian beer with your food will help to bring out the flavour of your food and the beer. There are several tips you can follow to help ensure you get the pairing right. 

• Complementary or Contrasting

There’s no middle ground. Either your beer matches the flavour of your ingredients, or it doesn’t. Getting pairing right means doing one or the other, not trying to combine additional flavours. For example, a beer full of hops has a distinctive flavour. It’s generally perfect with creamy sauces as it reduces the richness of any dish. Equally, malty craft beers bring out the sweetness in the ingredients. It’s especially beneficial with tomato-based recipes

• Dish Ingredients
  

What you’re eating affects your beer choice. For example, seafood dishes are complemented with lighter beers, while heavier, meaty meals, generally need a stronger and darker craft beer. 

 Here’s some simple pairings to help you get a feel for it:

• Cheese pizza works well with an American pale ale

• Margherita pizza works better with a dry hopped beer. It enhances flavours instead of overpowering them

• Creamy pasta dishes work well with lighter Italian craft beers

• A sweet or milk stout is a great option when consuming rich Italian desserts

There are plenty more possibillities. Don’t be afraid to try different beers and create your own food pairings.